View Full Version : Question about LED converter for tail lights- Update LED lights are all sorted THANKS
nucjd19
02-01-2021, 04:37 PM
OK. I am having a hard time visualizing wiring up this LED converter for the rear lights. I did a search on here and found a few threads but the converter I have does not match up with the ones I have found on the forum. I have been bugging Dave at FFR all day and I am still a little confused how it splices in and I am afraid he might strangle me if I bug him anymore. He strongly recommends wiring it at the dash harness and not the rear which I plan on doing but I am having a hard time visualizing how the outgoing wires from the converter splice into the harness. I have a grasp on the incoming wires into the converter. I would appreciate any and all help and if you have a picture that would be even better of how it is spliced into the circuit. Sorry for asking such a noob question. I have been on call all weekend and last night so I probably should not be doing any wiring that requires me to think LOL! If I sleep on it I am sure that will help. Here are are 2 pics, one of the converter with the 5 wires in and four wires out, and another picture of the recomended point of wiring. This is the very last step in my wiring and then I can move onto..... oh wait I'm stuck now waiting on my POL ...LOL!
Thank you again!
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141843&d=1612214991
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141842&d=1612214980
This is how I did mine, I have tested everything before the body goes back on. Everything seemed to work fine with these connections (signal, brake, running, hazards). I am planning on leaving it be at the rear of the harness, I cant see why it would be a problem with weatherproof connections.
Hope this helps you out...
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141854&d=1612232233
nucjd19
02-01-2021, 10:15 PM
Thank you so much Fman. I appreciate the picture!
ggunter
02-02-2021, 09:07 AM
Like Fman said it is easier the install it in the rear of the car up under the high part of the trunk than trying to find the wires in the dash harness. There is also a diagram that comes with the LED converter. Just use heat shrink butt conectors to keep everything water tight.
TBull
02-02-2021, 10:46 AM
Might I ask where you got the LED Converter?
Hoooper
02-02-2021, 11:33 AM
Might I ask where you got the LED Converter?
It comes in the kits now. I have an extra if anyone is looking for a new one
TBull
02-02-2021, 02:08 PM
Yes please. PM me and we can work out the details. Thanks.
BradCraig
02-02-2021, 03:49 PM
141918 I did mine behind dash.
nucjd19
02-02-2021, 07:51 PM
Huge thank you BradCraig! Just what I needed!
BradCraig
02-02-2021, 08:07 PM
Huge thank you BradCraig! Just what I needed!
No Prob, glad to help. You are where I was six months ago scratching my head!
Caddy Dad
02-03-2021, 04:28 PM
This is how I did mine, I have tested everything before the body goes back on. Everything seemed to work fine with these connections (signal, brake, running, hazards). I am planning on leaving it be at the rear of the harness, I cant see why it would be a problem with weatherproof connections.
Hope this helps you out...
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141854&d=1612232233
Wire nuts? I'm guessing those are for just temporary mock up, right?
TBull
02-03-2021, 05:27 PM
The PDF states to swap out your flashers. I'm building on a circa 2014 MKIV kit and trying to upgrade to these LED taillights. I need a different flasher module?
Hoooper
02-03-2021, 06:03 PM
The PDF states to swap out your flashers. I'm building on a circa 2014 MKIV kit and trying to upgrade to these LED taillights. I need a different flasher module?
If you have flashers for incandescent bulbs they wont work as they dont produce enough load. FFR now sends their kits with electronic flashers meant for use with LEDs.
Vspeeds
02-03-2021, 06:32 PM
FYI - my converter which was supplied in the kit (2017) failed during the go kart stage. I ended up buying a different model. So just keep in mind the circuitry in that little box can fail. Make sure that it is easily accessable if you ever need to change it out.
Blitzboy54
02-03-2021, 06:43 PM
Oh man, your wiring up your car already? You've really been moving on this. I feel like you just took delivery a few weeks ago
nucjd19
02-03-2021, 07:20 PM
Oh man, your wiring up your car already? You've really been moving on this. I feel like you just took delivery a few weeks ago
Not sure if that is good or bad LOL! I have had a couple of weeks off since delivery. My kids are in virtual school at the house and my wife wanted me out of the way. Add that to the fact I am OCD and tenacious, created 14 10-12 hour work days. I am slowing down until I get some crucial parts on my POL. It has been so much fun and so therapeutic for me since COVID has been here. I have seen more people succumb to COVID this year than I have experienced over years in my practice. It has been a good way for me to sooth my soul and let my mind fall into a project that is devoid of the pain and heart ache I have been diagnosing and treating in this pandemic.
nucjd19
02-03-2021, 07:27 PM
FYI - my converter which was supplied in the kit (2017) failed during the go kart stage. I ended up buying a different model. So just keep in mind the circuitry in that little box can fail. Make sure that it is easily accessable if you ever need to change it out.
I think that is why Dave was so adamant that I wire this behind the dash. I plan on doing the splice there due to the thought of getting to it later gives me gas.
Blitzboy54
02-03-2021, 07:32 PM
Not sure if that is good or bad LOL! I have had a couple of weeks off since delivery. My kids are in virtual school at the house and my wife wanted me out of the way. Add that to the fact I am OCD and tenacious, created 14 10-12 hour work days. I am slowing down until I get some crucial parts on my POL. It has been so much fun and so therapeutic for me since COVID has been here. I have seen more people succumb to COVID this year than I have experienced over years in my practice. It has been a good way for me to sooth my soul and let my mind fall into a project that is devoid of the pain and heart ache I have been diagnosing and treating in this pandemic.
Good for you. You’ve certainly earned it. The medical community has shouldered more than their fair share. Thank you for that by the way.
Be well and enjoy it.
Wire nuts? I'm guessing those are for just temporary mock up, right?
Yes, I tested all the lights just to make sure all was good before I get the body back from paint.
Huge thank you BradCraig! Just what I needed!
Just remember if you install that behind the dash and it ever needs replacement you will be having some choice words contorting your body to actually reach it with a possible visit to the chiropractor. Just something to consider, much easier to reach it at the back of the car. Everything I do with this car I am always thinking "what if" I ever need to access that part and try and put in the easiest place to reach.
nucjd19
02-04-2021, 07:37 PM
Just remember if you install that behind the dash and it ever needs replacement you will be having some choice words contorting your body to actually reach it with a possible visit to the chiropractor. Just something to consider, much easier to reach it at the back of the car. Everything I do with this car I am always thinking "what if" I ever need to access that part and try and put in the easiest place to reach.
That is a really good point Fman. I am not planning on wiring it in until this weekend so I will think on it some more before I commit.
ChasNMe
02-06-2021, 01:21 PM
sort of off topic a bit, but I see threads where people are building, and put the body on and off a dozen times without thinking about it. after paint, do you just not want to take the chance on scratching it or something? why not pull the body back off again to access behind the dash? thanks, Jake
Joe Campbell
02-09-2021, 11:21 AM
After you've done the windshield bolts once you'll know the answer. :) Even if you've done it a bunch of times and have gotten good at it, there are still quite a few things besides that have to be undone to take the body off, it can be very tedious. Also need space to safely store the body without fear of getting it dinged up.
I have read all the posts and studied the schematic.
What is this 'converter' supposed to do?
I see that the brake light wire does not go directly through the converter, so does the brake lights somehow override the turn signals?
Thanks, George
edit: PS-ok, I think I get it, it's the typical trailer converter I've seen in the past.
rich grsc
02-09-2021, 01:27 PM
Eliminates the need for blinker fluid.
FLPBFoot
02-09-2021, 06:04 PM
After you've done the windshield bolts once you'll know the answer. :) Even if you've done it a bunch of times and have gotten good at it, there are still quite a few things besides that have to be undone to take the body off, it can be very tedious. Also need space to safely store the body without fear of getting it dinged up.
Joe is correct, and you need to realign the doors, trunk and hood. People like Jeff K and Jeff M that do this all the time, no biggie, but us mortals it's a bit more challenging.
cobradan
03-17-2021, 03:55 PM
Looks great I’m confused myself with this.but doesn’t the tail lights get wired to the tail lamp harness.then the converter gets sectioned in .
Joe Campbell
03-17-2021, 06:33 PM
I wired mine in right at the split in the rear harness above the gas tank, adjusted the loom so it sits right under the fuel tank sender access panel.
first time builder
03-18-2021, 11:58 AM
Good place for it !!
nucjd19
03-19-2021, 05:05 PM
OK fellas. I have a wiring question if you don't mind. I wired my converter into the harness at the dash per FFR recommendations and used the above diagram. Drive lights work, blinkers work, hazards work but when I step on the brake the lights do not activate and do not increase in brightness when the drive lights are on. I only have one purple wire tied into the converter ( Dave at FFR said either purple wire was fine). Do I need to tie both into the converter like Fman did at the beginning of the thread or I am missing something. As an aside I have played extensively with the brake switch and swapped to the other switch on the clutch to see if that was the problem as well as directly wiring the switch wires together. beyond this one hiccup all of my wiring for the lights, fuel pump and dash are working. Thank you again everyone.
tonywy
03-20-2021, 07:43 AM
Part no. 48847 Hopkins
OK fellas. I have a wiring question if you don't mind. I wired my converter into the harness at the dash per FFR recommendations and used the above diagram. Drive lights work, blinkers work, hazards work but when I step on the brake the lights do not activate and do not increase in brightness when the drive lights are on. I only have one purple wire tied into the converter ( Dave at FFR said either purple wire was fine). Do I need to tie both into the converter like Fman did at the beginning of the thread or I am missing something. As an aside I have played extensively with the brake switch and swapped to the other switch on the clutch to see if that was the problem as well as directly wiring the switch wires together. beyond this one hiccup all of my wiring for the lights, fuel pump and dash are working. Thank you again everyone.
Are you referring to "drive lights" meaning your headlights? I don't see how this would affect the brake lights. I will be installing my tail lights next week and will double check mine. In meantime I would try to connect both of those purple wires up like I have it wired and see what happens.
BEAR-AvHistory
03-20-2021, 12:17 PM
FWIW. Only have requirements for turn, stop & nighttime running lights. Have 4 LED'S in my tail lights & two regular bulbs in my front ones. All work OK without any additions to the cars electronics.
nucjd19
03-20-2021, 01:48 PM
Are you referring to "drive lights" meaning your headlights? I don't see how this would affect the brake lights. I will be installing my tail lights next week and will double check mine. In meantime I would try to connect both of those purple wires up like I have it wired and see what happens.
Hey F. Yea my drive lights work perfectly in the front and rear (the blinker lights and brake lights illuminate without the head lights in the first position of my light knob. I can then pull my light knob to the second position and then the head lights turn on in conjunction with the rest of the lights). Blinkers work perfectly front and rear with and without the lights on. Hazard lights and high/low beam switches work perfect. Dash seems A OK as well. It is just when I press the brake, the lights do not turn on if I have the lights off and do not brighten when I have the lights on. I was planning on wiring both purple wires in like you did and try that out next.
Hey F. Yea my drive lights work perfectly in the front and rear (the blinker lights and brake lights illuminate without the head lights in the first position of my light knob. I can then pull my light knob to the second position and then the head lights turn on in conjunction with the rest of the lights). Blinkers work perfectly front and rear with and without the lights on. Hazard lights and high/low beam switches work perfect. Dash seems A OK as well. It is just when I press the brake, the lights do not turn on if I have the lights off and do not brighten when I have the lights on. I was planning on wiring both purple wires in like you did and try that out next.
Just throwing out some ideas, have you checked your 15AMP brake fuse on the panel to make sure it is good?
nucjd19
03-20-2021, 05:28 PM
I have not. Thanks for the reminder to check my fuse.
nucjd19
03-20-2021, 07:40 PM
Checked my fuses and all good. Dave at FFR said it did not matter which purple wire I used for the converter but for my harness it did. I cut the other purple wire and crimped it in to the red wire and viola! I have working brake lights now. Thank you Fman and everyone who chimed in. It took a village to raise this wiring noob!
toadster
03-06-2022, 09:44 PM
I'm confused about the purple wires, they feed the red "brake" wire on the 5-wire side
the harness has 2 purple lines at the rear corners
163518
is the purple at the rear not needed?
the tail lights have 3 wires
White = Ground
Red = Stop/Turn
Black = Tail
so with the harness out to the lights - is this the wiring scheme?
black (harness) to white ground (on lite)
white (harness) to red (on lite)
brown (harness) to black (on lite)
and purple is not used - correct?
toadster
03-06-2022, 09:58 PM
also, where would a 3rd brake light wire in here?
I understand that the tail would be active when the lights are on, but what is the 'brake' wire to the 3rd brake light?
Hacksaw84
03-07-2022, 02:24 PM
The purple wire is needed. It sends the signal to the tail lights to go on bright when the brakes are applied. There are two but its just a spit from the same wire so there is a wire at each tail.
What the converter does is apply intelligence to the brake and turn signal light feeds so it only comes out on one wire. Before the converter you have a signal for turn and brake. After it they are combined and it can handle displaying the flashing turn signal when both are receiving a signal. If not you wouldn't be able to display a flashing turn signal while the brakes were pressed bc it would be hot all the time. The converter used to be (before rectangle lights) so you could combine the dual rounds to be able to do both bc they came as one was brake on bright and one was turn on bright. Since its a dual filament bulb. Then its just the running lights on the low bulb filament.
A third brake light is challenging with this if its a single signal light. You could take either of the left or right brake/turn combined output form the converter. Brakes would work fine bit it would only blink with whatever side you took from the converter. What you want to do is take a signal from the brake (purple wire) BEFORE the converter. Then it would be a single uncombined brake light.
Unless your 3rd brake light has a left and right side. I installed the 3rd brake light in my roll bars so I essentially have 2 and could take it from the converter. Here you can see my car in both scenarios: Brakes on and then left turn on (no running lights).
163546 163547
toadster
03-07-2022, 03:02 PM
The purple wire is needed. It sends the signal to the tail lights to go on bright when the brakes are applied. There are two but its just a spit from the same wire so there is a wire at each tail.
What the converter does is apply intelligence to the brake and turn signal light feeds so it only comes out on one wire. Before the converter you have a signal for turn and brake. After it they are combined and it can handle displaying the flashing turn signal when both are receiving a signal. It used to be so you could combine the dual rounds to be able to do both bc they came as one was brake on bright and one was turn on bright. Since its a dual filament bulb. Then its just the running lights on the low bulb filament.
A third brake light is challenging with this if its a single signal light. You could take either of the left or right brake/turn combined output form the converter. Brakes would work fine bit it would only blink with whatever side you took from the converter. What you want to do is take a signal from the brake (purple wire) BEFORE the converter. Then it would be a single uncombined brake light.
Unless your 3rd brake light has a left and right side. I installed the 3rd brake light in my roll bars so I essentially have 2 and could take it from the converter. Here you can see my car in both scenarios: Brakes on and then eft turn on (no running lights).
Thanks Michael - that helps a bit... remember these rectangular lights are LED, not separate incandescents like the dual rounds...
so we should just tie into the purple... not cut it (like we did) ugh
163550 163551
what's throwing me off is in Fman's post he's direct to the tails from the converter, not the harness
and Brad's diagram below doesn't show a purple line at the lights either...
163552
so given the LED tails and purple lines are needed... it would wire as follows (with converter)
GROUND black (harness) to white (on both lights)
TAIL tan (harness) to black (on both lights)
BRAKE purple (harness) to red (on both lights)
RT TURN white (harness) to red (on right light)
LF TURN yellow (harness) to red (on left light)
3rd brake light
Option #1 single light
tie into purple (pre converter box) so it only turns on (no blink)
Option #2 two lights (left/right)
tie into purple (post converter box) so they can blink with turn signals
Hacksaw84
03-07-2022, 04:28 PM
Yeah I am tracking they are LED but that's not what matters. Its that they are a single 3 wire light and not two 3 wire lights. That is why they come with the converter now. My comment was this same concept was also used when it wasn't "needed" so dual round tail light cars could have them both behave the same. Hopefully that makes sense.
Both Brad and Fman are correct in what they are showing. Wire it exactly as they have it shown. The purple needs to go into the converter. All harness wires have a path through the converter. No wires go to the tail lights directly. The only exception is if you have a 3rd single bulb brake light, you will need to spice in before. One caveat is that you want to double check the colors of the converter are consistent to the function you are connecting it to, independent of the color. A bunch of companies make these converters and I think they are all the same but I would check their wiring diagram to confirm. If you are connecting a left turn signal wire from the cars harness then it needs to go to whatever color that company calls the left turn signal in the input side of the converter.
For the 3rd brake like options:
The first is correct.
The second is each wire from the output of the converter that goes to the brake light as a (brake/turn) wire will also go to the 3rd brake light. In the diagram above it will be one yellow and one green.
163561
BradCraig
03-07-2022, 05:16 PM
Yeah I am tracking they are LED but that's not what matters. Its that they are a single 3 wire light and not two 3 wire lights. That is why they come with the converter now. My comment was this same concept was also used when it wasn't "needed" so dual round tail light cars could have them both behave the same. Hopefully that makes sense.
Both Brad and Fman are correct in what they are showing. Wire it exactly as they have it shown. The purple needs to go into the converter. All harness wires have a path through the converter. No wires go to the tail lights directly. The only exception is if you have a 3rd single bulb brake light, you will need to spice in before. One caveat is that you want to double check the colors of the converter are consistent to the function you are connecting it to, independent of the color. A bunch of companies make these converters and I think they are all the same but I would check their wiring diagram to confirm. If you are connecting a left turn signal wire from the cars harness then it needs to go to whatever color that company calls the left turn signal in the input side of the converter.
For the 3rd brake like options:
The first is correct.
The second is each wire from the output of the converter that goes to the brake light as a (brake/turn) wire will also go to the 3rd brake light. In the diagram above it will be one yellow and one green.
163561
I need to probably tag the wire colors on the diagram! Good point also on the different converter manufacturers may have different colors, but functionally should map out.
toadster
03-07-2022, 06:54 PM
I need to probably tag the wire colors on the diagram! Good point also on the different converter manufacturers may have different colors, but functionally should map out.
so where is the purple wire from the harness connecting to the lights?
Hacksaw84
03-08-2022, 09:41 AM
so where is the purple wire from the harness connecting to the lights?
In his diagram is shows the purple wire from the harness connecting to the converter. It does not connect to the tail lights directly. Only through the converter. After the converter it comes out as a dual signal (now with brake and turn).
The purple wire in the harness is for the brake signal. It needs to connect to the converter via whatever wire the converter labels as the brake wire input. In his diagram it is red.
toadster
03-08-2022, 12:10 PM
In his diagram is shows the purple wire from the harness connecting to the converter. It does not connect to the tail lights directly. Only through the converter.
After the converter it comes out as a dual signal (now with brake and turn).
The purple wire in the harness is for the brake signal.
It needs to connect to the converter via whatever wire the converter labels as the brake wire input.
In his diagram it is red.
given your statement in BOLD above, the left and right rear harness has 4 wires...
163602
so my question stands - is the purple wire used at the rear of the car?
since FFR directions say to put this converter in the dash, I'm doing it at the harness split above the gas tank
163603
the wire harness needs to carry the signal back
Fman's photo shows the lights are directly connected to the converter, not the harness...
I'm looking for harness wiring... after the converter, with 4 wires at each side going into 3 wires at the lights
if I combine the two sections of the manual, I get this
a 5-wire to 4-wire converter, then those 4wires need to connect to 3-wires on the lights
163604
my question is why is there a purple line in the rear harness? is it not needed when you have the LED 5-4 converter?
BradCraig
03-08-2022, 04:49 PM
5 - 4 = 1 (purple). :-) Not needed.
toadster
03-08-2022, 04:54 PM
5 - 4 = 1 (purple). :-) Not needed.
ok sorry, was losing my mind seeing the extra 4th line at the lights... :cool:
I'm sure I'll probably run into plenty of dead-end wires in the harness...
nucjd19
03-08-2022, 08:07 PM
Hey Toad. Just saw my thread get revived. Glad it is sorted. It was confusing to me as well when I was wiring up the the converter. I had folks saying saying to wire it by the gas tank and then I had Dave at FFR adamant I wire it in near the dash I guess to isolate it from vibrations and water. Then I had to figure out the wiring pattern. I am so thankful to everyone on this site that posted up diagrams and pictures. We are truly lucky to have such amazing folks that help.
toadster
03-08-2022, 08:14 PM
Hey Toad. Just saw my thread get revived. Glad it is sorted. It was confusing to me as well when I was wiring up the the converter. I had folks saying saying to wire it by the gas tank and then I had Dave at FFR adamant I wire it in near the dash I guess to isolate it from vibrations and water. Then I had to figure out the wiring pattern. I am so thankful to everyone on this site that posted up diagrams and pictures. We are truly lucky to have such amazing folks that help.
totally agree!
I wish the FFR manual stated, that when you use the converter, the purple wire is no longer needed at the tail lights! :)
Hacksaw84
03-09-2022, 09:46 AM
Yeah I wasn't tracking the recommendation of it being installed behind the dash. Mine is at the rear split right above the gas tank. I thought you were asking if its needed at all and not just at the very rear of the car when you spiced it in at the dash. After the converter is introduced it will be an extra wire. It is a "4 to 3 wire converter" so one less is needed. I was trying to help with the understanding of what you are doing with the wiring instead of just what colors go where. To me that helps overall in the plan. To reiterate that, you are taking a dedicated brake 12v positive signal and a dedicated 12v positive for each turn signals. Then the converter combines them bc it has the ability to blink while the brake is on. The output is a wire for both tails that has both blinker/hazzard and brake light function in one wire.
You could keep the purple wire connected before the converter and it could be used at the rear of the car for your 3rd brake light.
toadster
03-09-2022, 10:10 AM
Yeah I wasn't tracking the recommendation of it being installed behind the dash. Mine is at the rear split right above the gas tank. I thought you were asking if its needed at all and not just at the very rear of the car when you spiced it in at the dash. After the converter is introduced it will be an extra wire. It is a "4 to 3 wire converter" so one less is needed. I was trying to help with the understanding of what you are doing with the wiring instead of just what colors go where. To me that helps overall in the plan. To reiterate that, you are taking a dedicated brake 12v positive signal and a dedicated 12v positive for each turn signals. Then the converter combines them bc it has the ability to blink while the brake is on. The output is a wire for both tails that has both blinker/hazzard and brake light function in one wire.
You could keep the purple wire connected before the converter and it could be used at the rear of the car for your 3rd brake light.
yes that's exactly what I'm doing with the 3rd brake light :)
Fordfan96
05-01-2023, 09:48 PM
Any chance of a pic? I’m thinking of putting mine there as well. Aluminum is already on but I can reach the harness. Which of the tan and purple wires did you splice and do the extras matter? I’ve looked at the dash wiring and see that the tan tail light wire starts single and splits to three along the way, purple (brakes) starts as dual, goes to single at the plug, and the splits to two toward the back. That’s the confusing part. Thinking of using weatgerpak connectors so I can easily unplug and replace converter if it goes bad.
Mickeydee
09-30-2025, 03:55 PM
I’m having trouble with the brake lights also. I think I hooked it up just like you show in your picture but brake lights not working correctly. The upper and lower sections of the tail light illuminate with key on and lights on.
I connected the purple wires from driver and passenger side harness to red wire on led converter.
Tan wires from driver/passenger harness to brown on converter. Black wires from harnesses to white on converter. Yellow from driver harness to yellow on converter and white from passenger harness to green on converter. Coming out of converter
green goes to passenger red on taillight. Yellow goes to driver red on taillight. Black goes to both blacks on taillights and white goes to both whites on taillights. I’m asking because I think I wired as shown but there must be a mistake somewhere because it’s not working properly. Would appreciate any feedback you or anyone can offer. Thanks Mickeydee
Cobra Depo
12-31-2025, 12:23 AM
I Happy new years. Have wired and rewired 2x on the led converter and still same outcome. brake lights (I think full power) is on all the time. I have adusted the brake pedal switched hoped the wires, and still cant figure out what will make the transition from running lights to brake lights. any suggestions would be appreciated.
dbp